2011-01-21: Bringing Supplies

Players:

Connor_icon.jpg David_icon.jpg Rashmi_icon.jpg Travis_icon.jpg

Summary: Connor surprised those in Africa with some much needed supplies.

Date: January 21, 2011

Log Title: Bringing Supplies

Rating: PG


Africa - Rundown Village

The lush green trees of the rainforest hide the small village, with only one road that leads out. The road clearly doesn't get much use, high grass growing up the center. It's nestled next to a beautiful river, flowing with the clean source of water. Still, it is a good walk down a slippery slope to get there.
The village here is poor, but hardly unpopulated. There is one solid building standing at the middle of town, and that's the church, though even that is a roug stucco building. It also seems to double as a clinic. There is no steeple, it is a simple block building, but a cross stands high over the main entrance of the buildling. There are no white people who live here, a dark shade of black on the skin tones of each inhabitant. Though it is small, there are people who live and play. Children run amidst dogs, the women wash clothes and cook while men bring in the food. Some traces of civilization can be found, playing cards and checkers seems to bethe popular activities among the elderly, and they can be found in the shade of any of dozens of trees or around the large fire kept burning at the center.
The rest of the buildings in town are all the same. They are grass huts, and offer little privacy. None of the inhabitants seem to mind, content with their community life. This might offend some of the sensibilities of Americans, but they don't seem bothered by such things.


It is in the afternoon in the African continent, some children can be seen pointing at something in the background and rush towards the entrance of the village as they see a sight they are not used to see in this part of remote Nigeria. David, dressed in a white and gold bodysuit, is limping along on his way through the village. In one hand a machete to cut through the African bush, his other arm held tight against his body. It is broken. As he comes into sight of the rest of the villagers, David has numerous scars and scratches along his face and body. He groans, "Oh I finally made it." The children stare and he does his best to smile and greets them in their native language.

Travis has been working hard all day helping to rebuild one of the homes that was destroyed. It's been hard work since it's different than anything he's worked on before, and the language barrier. He's gotten a few laughs out of the villagers when he can't quite understand something and they jest at him in their language but it's all in good fun. He's dressed in a pair of jeans and is shirtless and barefoot for the most part, since it doesn't seem there is a set dresscode here. He finally finishes one bit and with a few pats on the back for a job well done, Travis goes off to get some water when he spots David. He rushes over and looks at him. "Dude…um..wow…you okay?" Knowing the answer is probably 'no'.

Looking up and down at Travis for a moment, David exhales, "Um, I've been better." He winces a bit as the kids start to pock at him and touch his arm. He frowns and is about to yell, but takes a deep breath and says something to them in their language and they smile and run off to play some games. Hobbling towards Travis, "I'm actually ok. I got into a fight with a gorilla and some monkeys threw rocks at me." With that he takes a seat on a makeshift chair and looks about, "I see that all of you have already been helping out here. That is great." He smiles.

Travis looks down at David and sighs. "Just a gorilla, and you're okay my ass, your arm is broken. If we can find someone to set it, I can heal you." He rolling his eyes as David's 'I'm fine'. "Let's go to the chapel,and yeah, I've been busy since we got here two nights ago. I was busy healing people and yesterday going over some ways to help out here with Abraham though, it's different from what I'm used to. Building wise."

Never having been to such a place in his life, David feels two different emotions. One sorrow for the people having been attacked recently. Two joy for the seeming unending cheerfulness of its citizens. Responding to Travis, "Yeah someone should be able to set it. I'm glad you are here with us, Travis. You're a godsend to these people. And I fear for us." He exhales, "Just a gorilla, huh. I was lucky. But there was something or someone setting off the animals to attack me." He mumbles something about 'never having a break.' He then offers with a half-smile, "The Blackbird should be fixed soon. Kisha and I got alot done with it.""

Travis shrugs at David. "I'm just glad I can help is all, nothing special. And you have no idea what it's like being around these people." He says with a smile as he's found it to be a amazing experience. "I was telling Rashmi, it's like The Whos from The Grinch." He says with a chuckle. "Well, I think we better head Hosea's advice then and stay clear of the rainforest. And if we can't get back immediately well…I don't mind sticking around a bit longer, helping out." He's been finding a overwhelming satisfaction in just being able to help even if he does feel a bit odd here.

Having only met Travis one time before this trip in a completely different environment, a bar in Mutant Town, David is not familiar with Travis' usual mood and demeanor. But it is clear to David, that Travis is affected in a positive way by being in Nigeria and helping the villagers. He hopes the Xavier's students and staff feel the same, and thus far it doesn't seem to be happening. "Yeah, I agree about the rainforest." He looks about and spots an elderly woman carrying to large containers of water. David shouts out to her in their language, <I can help you.> She responds back looking at him oddly, but amiably with a smile, <No thank you. But when I am done I will help you with your arm.> David smiles and nods.

There's a rustle in the trees that causes a stir and a moment of anticipation among those present from the village as well as the newcomers, before stepping out from the path towards where the downed Blackbird is, is Connor. Perhaps disturbingly… he looks freshly showered, well-rested, and otherwise unaffected by the events of the crash… but that might be because shortly afterwards, and assisting in an inventory, he promptly portalled back to the Mansion to make a report on the group's behalf. Dressed for the weather in light khakis and a survival knife strapped to tool-belt with several other things… he has brought along several crates with him, the ones carrying tents, water filtration supplies, camp showers, tables and chairs, and even a crate of foodstuffs. While he doesn't look pleased with the rainforest tromp, his expression softens a bit at the sight of at least one familiar face.

Travis can't understand a word David and the woman are saying, which is probably a good thing cause he'd yell at David for offering to help with a broken arm. "I didn't know you spoke…what language is it exactly that they speak here? I don't want to say Nigerian and find it's not even called that." Travis says as he's not sure if this village has their own lanague or whatever the case may be. He takes his shirt that's been hanging from the back of his pants and slips it back, one of his custom six armed Rockies jerseys. When the rustle his heard behind him, Travis turns to look and sees Connor, with a bunch of supplies. He's wondering how one guy carried all that. "You need help carrying anything?"

The jungle offers a bit of illusion until Travis might see that the young man isn't exactly carrying anything, so much as pushing it along as it floats there in front of him. "No, I'm cool…" Connor replies as he moves things to a cleared spot close to, but not interfereing with the village, "Most of this is setup gear for you all. Tents for sleeping, eating, and meetings… some cots for sleeping in shifts. Camp showers, manual water purification equipment, canteens… oh… and a box of multivitamins. I was instructed to tell people to pass them out through the volunteers." Settling what must be at least a ton of gear easily onto the ground, the light of the african sun does a lot to mute the blue-green glow backlighting the young man's eyes, "And if you're all really nice to me, I'll even make some coffee."

The one thing Connor says that catches his attention is manual water purifcation equipment. Those iodine tablets taste horrible. "Well, thanks for bringing but…who are you?" Travis asks trying not to sound rude but Connor wasn't on the Blackbird on the way over if he remembers correctly. "Sorry I'm from Barnes, I'm Travis by the way." He says extending one hand to Connor.

Emerging from the chapel, pausing to press a rag against her face to blot away the sweat, Rashmi pauses at the sound of not-villagers talking. As her eyes find Connor and Travis, her face splits in a broad grin, lifting a hand in merry greeting as she trots their way. "Connor, hi! …Wow, what *is* all that stuff?"

Connor takes the hand and smiles, nodding, "Like the lady said… Name's Connor." And unconsiously he wipes his hand on his pants leg as he continues on, "I agreed to be the stateside support and logistics for this outing. I'm a Xavier student, senior class… just behind Rashmi." Giving a bit more a smile her way before he starts tunnelling through the boxes, "I've got some pads and pens here, and basically… when you guys need something, you let me know either when I make a drop, or via the Blackbird comm system. I'll take a day to see what can be wrangled from either Xaviers or other sources, and deliver it around this time."

"Thanks man." Travis says as looks over at Rashmi. "Hey Rashmi, I just ran into David. I guess they're getting that Blackbird fixed up." He says as he looks at all the stuff. "Wow…really Connor thanks. This stuff will be great. And it's nice meeting you. I go to school with Rashmi, same class as her." He looks at the boxes and then back at the home he was helping to rebuild. "Umm..should we set some of the tents up now or wait till later?"

"Probably better that we get the stuff sorted," Rashmi muses, resting a hand on Connor's shoulder. "So the radio in the plane still works? That's good news… We'd been worried about you guys, and David didn't show up looking too good… Something about a gorilla?" A nervous look crosses her face, but she shakes her head, looking back down at the pile. "…You know, I'm wondering if someone shouldn't talk to Abraham about what we can leave behind that the villagers can use."

Connor motions to the piles of stuff, "Half of this is left over from the Mutant Town incident… seems like the insurance company covering the event was fit to just leave it behind for people to use for shelters while the neighbhorhood was being fixed up. No one was using the event tents, and the rest was donated by the school or through the contacts David and Hosea got set up before leaving." Reaching up be squeezes the hand on his shoulder, and looks back to Travis, "I'd say get the tents set up… we're not used to the climate… I'd expect by now you've got people reporting sunstroke symptoms. Having extra shelter will help."

"Well I've been making sure people know to stay hydrated as it helps." Travis says as he knows with all the work he's been doing he's been drinking a lot of water. The mention of Mutant Town Incident causes him to frown as he hasn't been thinking about New York City at all today just been focusing on work here. "Yeah, I'm glad David finally went over to the clinic. A broken arm can be serious." He doesn't know a lot of first aid but some things shouldn't go untreated and he knows that. "I think that's a great idea Rashmi. I'm sure they can find a lot of use for this stuff. I'd love to leave them with something, ya know."

Rashmi pats Connor's shoulder, moving to crouch by the pile, sifting for the promised pads and pens. "It helps a little that the weather here's so miserable, most of us are staying in the chapel during the day, or the families that've offered to take us in. Which is kind of weird on its own… But yeah, these tents'll be a big help. I just wish I knew what half of this stuff was, you know…?" Sighing, she settles back on her heels, frowning at the tremendous pile of stuff. "…Well that and having a skill that could be *useful* here… Almost starting to get a little jealous of you guys," she says, looking up at the boys and wrinkling her nose.

A small smirk comes from Connor as he kneels down next to Rashmi and replies, "Well… they're going to need someone to keep inventory, check supplies, look into what's available based on needs, and write up the orders that I'll be taking. I can't think of anyone better at that than you… it'll free up others to do stuff. But anyways…" He points to the crates in the row, "First one is tents and cots. Three tents, about a dozen elevated cloth cots. Second one is a solar-powered water-filtration unit. Supposed to be high-tech, low-footprint… all that cool stuff. Genoshan built if you can believe it." Shrugging once, "Box three is some spare clothes, multivitamins, first aid stuff, and someone donated a bunch of flip-flop sandals. Last one's got rice and beans, and some protein powders in it for nutrition."

Crouching down next to Rashmi, Travis looks at her. "Come by when I'm working on one of the homes later, they were willing to teach me how to do things their way, I'm sure you could learn too. I have no idea what they were saying half the time as they'd say stuff and laugh but I'm pretty sure it was in good spirits." Which it was. "So, should we ask someone where a good spot to set these up are? I just don't want to set something up and realize it's too close to this or too close to the rainforrest."

Connor mumbles almost to himself, before he can stop it as he looks things over, "Toilet paper on the next run… definately."

"I believe it," Rashmi says of the water filter, restraining herself… barely… from sticking her tongue out at Connor for his delivery of the suggestion. "I'll probably end up doing that anyway, and *definitely* I'll be working with you, Travis, just… I don't know, everything I've ever wanted to learn to help people… and suddenly it's all too *big* to be any use here, y'know? It's humbling, which is nice I guess." Looking up at Travis, she tilts her head, chewing on her lower lip. "That's something else we'll probably have to talk to Abraham about. I hate bothering him so much, but he speaks English and knows what the village needs better than any of us do, so…"

"I'd suggest taking on a hobby or something when we get back, but you have too much going on already." Travis says as he starts to pull out a tent and look for the directions. "He seems like a nice guy, Abraham. They're definately passionate here." And as Connor mentions Toilet Paper, Travis looks up at him. "Dude, that would be awesome if you could get us some. And Connor, thank you, really, for bringing all of this. So, if you don't mind me asking, how is it you got this all here?"

Connor stands up and wipes his hands off on his pants once more before adding, "And the crates all break down and rebuild into tables… or so I was told. Waste not, want not, right?" To Travis' question though, he just gives a grin and then replies, looking to Rashmi a moment, "I'm a long-range teleporter… but it's a little flashy and obvious… and I'm not up for scaring the locals into deifying me just yet. But… with how my particular talent works? It's easier if it's just me and some stuff, and not anyone else… you see things when you go through the eye of a black hole… and they're not always pretty." He then nods once to his friend, and gives her a hug, "I've got to get back and confirm delivery, and let them know how you're all doing."

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License